Lots of people in Town are self employed in some manner and they are able to buy group insurance relatively inexpensively through the Plattsburgh Chamber of Commerce. To get insurance this way all you need to show is a source of earned income, however small. Your tax returns are the "proof" of income they need. You should check this website for details to see if you qualify: http://www.gochamberhealth.com/ . Quiet a few different providers and programs are offered.
If you do have earned income (for example, you retired early) and don't quailfy for the government programs, here is how to find out about what is available. The State maintains a good website that is a consumer's guide to HMOs that serve our area. The same site also has a list of the health insurance plans and rates currently available to direct pay customers in our area.
Medicare is for people who are over 65 or meet some other special criteria. This wikipedia article on medicare is a bit easier to understand than the official site.
Medicaid is the government program for low income people. This wikipedia article explains the program and how to find out if you qualify.
The Essex County Public Health site has this page on insurance enrollment.
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